Hundreds rally in ABQ in support of Women’s March
BY COLLEEN KEANE
SPECIAL TO THE NAVAJO TIMES
ALBUQUERQUE — Donald Trump, heir to a family fortune, real estate mogul, and former reality show host, became the 45th president of the United States last Friday.
He came into power after calling most Mexican nationals rapists and murderers; promising to rip apart the Affordable Care Act; rid the country of Muslim-Americans and build a wall between the U.S. and Mexico; making fun of a disabled reporter on national television; insulting the family of a war hero who sacrificed his own life while saving fellow soldiers, and making it known that he might limit media access to the White House.
Additionally, according to a national news report, prior to his Republican nomination, he was caught on audiotape referring to women in such obscene ways some people can’t bring themselves to repeat what he said.
He responded that it was just “locker room talk.” But, for Albuquerque resident, Angela Reynolds, there is no excuse.
“Even though my sons are grown up, if they said something like that, I would slap them. He (Trump) should respect women,” she said.
Reynolds was among a sea of people who filled the civic plaza during last Saturday’s rally in support of the National Women’s March on Washington that was organized to raise awareness of women’s rights while protesting Trump’s inauguration.
“I’m here because it time for us to stand up against the ugliness and nastiness we go through as women,” said Andrea B. Good (Diné/Apache/ Zia).
While raising a sign high over her head that read, “We, the Resilient,” Good recalled how she was raised with the Diné teachings of Hózhó, living in balance and beauty.
She said that walking in beauty also refers to how people speak about others.
“Whatever comes out of your mouth is always powerful. You have to watch what you say,” she said.
This applies to everyone, including the President of the United States, she added.
Good, an actress who has appeared in several TV series and films, came to the rally to speak out for all Native American women who have struggled through a lifetime of resisting violence.
“I’m here for my grandma, my mom, my aunts, all the powerful Native American women out there,” she stressed.
It’s been reported that millions of women, men and children around the world stepped out to raise their voices in support of women’s rights and against the divisive public insults that came from Trump’s mouth during his campaign.
At the Albuquerque rally, a few of the hundreds of hand-made signs read, “In Our America, All People are Equal,” “I am Marching for Social Justice and Human Decency,” “Girls Just Want To Have Fundamental Rights,” and “Denying Medical Coverage to the Poor is UnAmerican.”
Many of the signs were written in Spanish as well as English.
Kimberly Martinez, Diné, was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support.
“Seeing everyone here makes me cry!” she said.
Holding a sign over her head that read, “Protect the Sacred,” Martinez said she attended the rally because she’s concerned the Trump administration will allow the last leg of the North Dakota oil pipeline to start construction again.
Pipeline construction stopped last December under the Obama administration.
Tribal leaders and advocates say the current pipeline route would threaten the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s water source.
“I’m against the pipeline construction. I am fighting for Mother Earth and Father Sky,” she said.
As if the sky above had heard her, a few minutes later the sun came out from behind the clouds and a cascade of glistening snowdrops fell down upon the crowd, who for a moment stood in amazement at the beauty of it all.
Then, they broke out into a loud cheer.
One of them was 71-year old Margaret Wheeler, who said light needs to shine brightly on the White House, as well.
She’s concerned Trump will push the press corps out of the West Wing of the White House, which will in turn impact the public’s right to know what’s going on.
“The only way we can shine light on this man (Trump) and what he’s going to do is keeping the press free and having them have access,” she said.
Giving a glimpse of what might be to come, despite statistics and photographs showing the opposite, Trump’s Press Secretary Sean Spicer announced over the weekend that the Trump inauguration drew more people than ever before.
Then, Spicer abruptly left before the shocked press corps could ask any questions.
Attending an anti-Trump protest downtown on Friday night, Father Frank Quintana from Blessed Oscar Romero Catholic community, said, “I’m here to stand against racism, misogyny, scapegoating immigrants, and to take a stand against stripping away Medicaid and Medicare from the Affordable Care Act.”
He was among about 100 people who stood in the rain, holding up signs that read, “Fight Trump and the Whole System,” “We Need a Political Revolution” and “Say ‘No’ to Racism!”.
“What he’s (Trump) doing is uniting people in hate. We can’t sit back and watch. We need to push back in order to combat a potential new normal that would make victimizing people acceptable,” said Friday night’s organizer Sylvia Grass (Choctaw/Cherokee).
During Saturday’s Albuquerque rally, a speaker from the African-American community who fought for civil rights in the 1960s also called for action.
“I will do whatever I can to turn back every insult and every outrage that happens. How about you?” she asked them.
“We must create a movement and not a moment. I want you to vote, organize, and show up! Posts on Facebook and Twitter is not enough!” she cried out.
Diné tribal member Martinez said it’s really all about hózhó.
“We walk in beauty with Mother Earth. We realize we are fighting for what’s right. It’s time our voices are heard,” she said as she raised her sign a little higher and joined in on songs, prayers and a moment of silence.
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES | COLLEEN KEANE
Andrea B. Good, Diné/Apache/Zia, stands out in the crowd as she holds up a sign acknowledging the resilience of Native people during the Albuquerque rally last Saturday held in support of the Women’s March on Washington.